Reopening of Jaffna University delayed

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 January 2007, 17:35 GMT]Acting Vice Chancellor (VC) of University of
Jaffna Prof K.Kumaravadivel, in a communiqué
issued to the media on Tuesday announced that due
to administrative difficulties the
reopening of the university originally scheduled
for January 22 is being postponed by few more weeks.

Difficulties encountered in compiling information
about the undergraduates from other
districts, arranging accommodation in private
residences, were the key reasons for the delay, the VC said.

Prof Kumaravadivel added that providing adequate
security for the students following the recent
abduction and release of science faculty student
Arunagirinathan Niruparaj and two other students
from Inuvil, was another reason for
the University Senate deciding to delay the reopening.

Meanwhile, campus administrators are facing
difficulties in arranging accommodation for the
800 out of district students and to the more than 200
students from Jaffna Islets and Thenmaradchy areas.

Accomodation is currently available for
only 400 students. Campus authorities are
planning to rent private residences as
accommodation for the remaining 600 places, according to sources.

Acting VC also has been co-coordinating with the
Jaffna Government Agent to resolve the
difficulties related to providing proper meals
for the 1000 students expected to live in Campus provided accommodation.

Lectures at Jaffna Campus were held
irregularly after the altercation with campus
students and the SLA during the early part of
2006, and the campus was completely closed after
clashes broke out between the SLA and the Liberation Tigers on 11 August.